Operation Utah: Gwent Police share update on day of action

Earlier this week, the force teamed up with the DVSA and GoSafe to identify and tackle drivers putting other motorists at risk

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 30th Jun 2023

Two men have been arrested, there were nine traffic offences recorded, and one vehicle has been seized for anti-social driving by Gwent Police.

The force have shared an update to Operation Utah - their multi-agency day of action which happened earlier this week.

They're urging motorists to drive carefully and within the limits of the law - and hope the operation sends a clear message to drivers.

Throughout the day at the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA) weighbridge and test site at Newport’s Coldra roundabout, the operation on June 27 saw:

  • One man arrested on suspicion of drug driving
  • One man arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour in connection with a separate incident
  • Nine traffic offence reports (TORs) - two for not wearing a seatbelt, one for using a mobile phone at the wheel, two for non-compliant licence plates and four for bald/damaged tyres
  • One vehicle seized for anti-social driving
  • GoSafe recorded 24 motorists driving above the speed limit
  • DVSA issued 27 drivers with roadworthiness prohibitions
  • Six HGV drivers received drivers’ hours prohibitions
  • One HGV vehicle was prohibited for no operation licence while another received a prohibited for no tachograph
  • One vehicle was prohibited for being overweight

PC Solomon Lowe said: “We’re committed to increasing the safety of all road users in Gwent and Operation Utah is one of the ways we enforce road safety and tackle motoring offences. I hope the results from this operation send a clear message that driving is a privilege and those not maintaining the condition of their vehicle or driving responsibility is unacceptable and will dealt with robustly.

“I would like to thank our partners for working with us on this operation to make the roads in our communities as safe as possible.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of other road users – I would urge all motorists to drive carefully, responsibly and within the limits of the law and to ensure their vehicles are well-maintained at all times.”

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